In the back of my mind, another doubt creeps in at his answer.If he doesn’t know my dad very well, why is he here?I shove the thought down and choose to be right here in this moment with Jackson.
After a few peaceful moments, Jackson takes a step back and gives me a determined look. “I’m going to teach you some self-defense moves,” he states. “You’ll never feel helpless again,” he adds, softer this time.
How can I say no to that?
6
JACKSON
Wide, green eyes that have seen more than their fair share of pain peer up at me. The woman in my arms is more amazing than I ever could have imagined.
I hate everything that Sage has been through, and I will do my due diligence to make sure everyone who laid a finger on her gets what they deserve. But the strength she has is breathtaking. She’s not aware of it yet, but I hope to show Sage how powerful and resilient she is with each passing day.
“Um… you mean, like, right now?” she asks, breaking me out of my daze.
“What?” I ask, a bit distracted by her beauty.
“You said you were going to show me some self-defense moves,” Sage reminds me.
“Yes. Of course.” It takes a massive amount of effort, but I manage to pull myself away from Sage long enough for both of us to get our shoes on. I hold out my hand when I’ve finished tying my laces, loving every single time she takes it. “Ready?”
My girl nods, and I lead her to the backyard, where we have more room. Sage shifts her weight from foot to foot, looking around nervously. It breaks my goddamn heart to know the real reason behind her anxiety. I hope having a few self-defensemoves will give her a little bit of confidence in her day-to-day life. I pray that she never has to use this training, but I want her to have the knowledge just in case.
“First, hold out your wrists.” Sage gives me a questioning look, but does as I ask. “If you’re ever in a position where someone is tying your hands or wrists together, try to hold them as far apart as possible.” I gather her wrists up gently, pressing them together, then inching them apart to show her the difference. “Every inch helps. The looser your restraints, the better chance you have to escape.”
Sage stiffens her arms and pushes against my hands, forcing me to give her a little more room. I nod in approval.
“Good,” I praise before dropping her wrists. “The next thing is to use whatever you have at your disposal to protect yourself; a book, a brick, a broomhandle, whatever is within reaching distance. Fight with everything you have. Kick your assailant in the dick, bitch slap him in the face, whatever you do is fair game.”
My girl lets out a breath, her gaze fixed somewhere in the distance. I can practically see the worst-case scenarios playing out in her head. She focuses on me, her face slightly ashen. It kills me to see her this way, but this is important information.
“I’m right here,” I remind her. “Let’s jump into a few moves instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, okay?” Sage gives me a small smile, trying to push her fear aside. “Okay, I’m going to come up behind you and lay my arm across your neck as if I’m trying to drag you away.” I get into position, ignoring the way Sage’s body fits perfectly against mine. “First, grip my arm with both of your hands, with the goal of not letting me choke you.” She obeys, and I use my free hand to square her hips up for a stronger stance. “Now, stomp on my foot and try wiggling out of my grip enough to elbow me in the stomach.”
I keep my hold on her steady without being overwhelming. In no world would I hurt Sage or put her at risk, even in a demonstration. Sage processes my instructions, then struggles against me. Her heel comes down on my toes, which would be broken if not for my steel-toed boots. I fake an injury, giving her the upperhand. My girl twists out of my grip and digs her elbow into my ribs with a surprising amount of force.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Sage asks. She puts her hand over the spot where she elbowed me as if it were a bullet wound.
“I’m so proud of you,” I tell her with a broad smile. “That was great.”
“Did I hurt you?”
I grin and shake my head no. “Not this time, but I know you’ll get there.” Sage looks relieved and also up for the challenge. I knew she was a fighter. “Let’s go again. Once we have the form down, we’ll work on speed.”
Once again, I get into position behind her. She wiggles her ass, which is pressed against my barely contained erection, her soft flesh making my cock obscenely hard.
“Careful, baby girl,” I growl softly against the shell of her ear. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”
Sage looks at me over her shoulder, a sexy, proud little smirk curling up the corners of her lips. How can she be a tempting siren and adorable at the same time?
“Am I winning?” The curvy, red-headed goddess bites her bottom lip, making me want to do the same.
Bright green eyes flicker with lust, and I can’t hold back any longer. I spin Sage around and press her against the nearest tree before dropping to my knees.
“Oh,” she says, all breathy and sexy as fuck. “What are you doing?”
“This is your prize,” I say with a smirk, looking up at my queen. “I’m going to give you the best orgasm of your life.”
“That’s not going to be hard since I…” Her cheeks burn red, and she breaks eye contact, clearly self-conscious about her admission.
